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Maternity and parental leave benefits in Canada

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

Employment Insurance pays maternity and parental benefits while you are off work with a new baby or newly adopted child. In Québec, the Québec Parental Insurance Plan pays them instead.

Who handles it

Service Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada)

Handles it everywhere in Canada except Quebec (Québec Parental Insurance Plan (RQAP)).

Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

Who can apply

  • You need 600 hours of insured work in the 52 weeks before your claim starts, and your normal weekly earnings must have dropped by more than 40% for at least a week.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • Parents who share benefits get more weeks in total: 40 weeks of standard or 69 weeks of extended. One parent alone cannot take more than 35 standard or 61 extended weeks.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Steps

  1. Apply online as soon as you stop working, and do not wait for your documents. You can apply for maternity and parental benefits at the same time. If sharing, each parent sends their own application and must pick the same option.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

What you need

  • Have your SIN, the other parent's SIN if you plan to share, your employers and dates for the past 52 weeks, your bank details, and your child's expected or actual birth date or adoption placement date.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Cost

  • The weekly maximums come from the EI maximum insurable earnings, which is $68,900 a year from January 1, 2026. EI benefits are taxable.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

How much you get

  • Standard parental benefits pay up to $729 a week, for up to 35 weeks for one parent.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • Extended parental benefits spread a lower weekly payment over more weeks, up to $437 a week for up to 61 weeks for one parent.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

How long it takes

  • If you are eligible and sent everything needed, your first payment comes about 28 days after you apply. If both maternity and parental benefits are claimed, the waiting period is served only once.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Questions people ask

How much does EI maternity leave pay?

Maternity benefits pay 55% of your insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week, for up to 15 weeks. Parental benefits can follow, and you can apply for both at once.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Should I choose standard or extended parental benefits?

Standard pays more each week for fewer weeks. Extended pays less each week over a longer period. Your choice sets both the number of weeks and the weekly amount, and you cannot change it after a parental payment is made.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Can both parents take parental benefits at the same time?

Yes. Both parents must choose the same option and each must apply. You can take your weeks at the same time or one after the other.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Can I get EI maternity or parental benefits if I live in Quebec?

No. Quebec runs its own program, the Québec Parental Insurance Plan, which pays maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits to Quebec residents.

Source: canada.cachecked #

How late can I start maternity benefits?

You cannot get maternity benefits more than 17 weeks after your due date or the date you gave birth, whichever is later.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Where it works differently

Service Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada) handles it everywhere else.

Province or territoryWho handles itOfficial linkGood to know
QuebecQuébec Parental Insurance Plan (RQAP)Québec Parental Insurance Planchecked Québec residents apply to the Québec Parental Insurance Plan, not EI.

Where to go in person

Places in the biggest cities, from open data. Check the official link for hours and what each office offers before you go.

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Maternity and parental leave benefits in Canada", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/ei-parental